Lead Teacher

Job Description: Lead Teacher

Position Title: Lead Teacher - Mixed-Age Classroom

Reports To: Director

Location: Queen Anne

Employment Type: Full-Time

Job Summary:

The Lead Teacher is the primary educator and classroom leader responsible for maintaining a safe, nurturing, and developmentally appropriate environment for children in their assigned age group. The Lead Teacher ensures smooth classroom operations by balancing direct instruction, child-led exploration, curriculum development, communication with families, and leadership within their teaching team.

This position requires professionalism, reliability, creativity, and strong leadership. The Lead Teacher sets the tone for their classroom, ensuring that children’s well-being and learning are the top priority while maintaining compliance with licensing, safety, and program standards.

At Little Trailblazers Early Learning Centers, every team member plays a vital role in ensuring that the day-to-day operations of the center run smoothly. We work together to create a safe, nurturing, and engaging environment for children and families. As part of this school, all roles/positions are considered a safety sensitive position.

Education & Experience

Must be at least 18 years of age.

High School Diploma or GED required.

Minimum of Three years of experience in a licensed early learning or childcare setting.

Education:

Associate’s Degree (AA) or higher in Early Childhood Education (ECE), Child Development, or a closely related field.

Equivalent college credits or training that meets DCYF staff qualification standards. (See required trainings in the employee checklist)

Demonstrated understanding of child development, age-appropriate practices, and positive guidance techniques.

Complete the applicable preservice requirements, pursuant to WAC 110-300-0105.

Must hold or be willing to obtain:

Food Handler’s Permit (Before start date)

First Aid/CPR and Bloodborne Pathogens Certification (Before start date)

DCYF Background Check (Before start date)

STARS 30-hour Child Care Basics Training (within 90 days of hire)

By a certain timeline, a Lead Teacher must obtain:

An ECE Initial Certificate (or equivalent) - either by August 1, 2026 or within five years of hire/promotion, whichever is later.

An ECE Short Certificate (or equivalent) - either by August 1, 2028 or within two years of attaining the Initial Certificate.

All certificate or equivalent qualifications must be approved and verified in the Electronic Workforce Registry.

Must document ongoing professional development progress annually.

Familiarity with Brightwheel, Google Workspace, and DCYF licensing processes.

Leadership and Collaboration

Serve as the main teacher in charge of the classroom, responsible for overall structure, safety, and engagement.

Delegate tasks effectively while fostering teamwork, communication, and respect among classroom staff.

Lead by example through professionalism, reliability, and positivity.

Be familiar with and apply DCYF standards, WAC 110-300 licensing requirements, and program policies in daily classroom practice.

Ensure that children remain the number one priority, providing a supportive, engaging, and inclusive environment at all times.

Daily Focus and Structure

A Lead Teacher’s role includes balancing teaching, planning, and leadership responsibilities.

75% of the day should be spent interacting directly with children, including:

Teacher-led and child-led activities

Circle time and small-group experiences

Potty training and/or self-help skill support

Outdoor play supervision

Goal setting and developmental observations

25% of the day should include planning, preparation, and classroom upkeep, such as:

Curriculum planning and organization

Preparing materials and activities

Cleaning and maintaining classroom safety and order

Delegating and sharing cleaning tasks fairly among teachers

Planning Expectation

Lead Teachers are responsible for ensuring all activities and lessons are properly planned, documented, and implemented.

Planning should be flexible and consistent, using available times such as nap time, outdoor play (when ratios allow), and slower classroom periods.

Teachers may delegate portions of planning to assistant staff but remain responsible for the overall quality and completion of plans.

When taking time off, communicate classroom plans, routines, and expectations with your team in advance to ensure a seamless transition.

Curriculum Requirements

Weekly Lesson Plans

Once approved, lesson plans must be sent to parents each Friday through Brightwheel.

Activities must be developmentally appropriate, engaging, and inclusive for your classroom age group.

Children should be challenged but never discouraged by overly difficult expectations.

Circle Time is required

Classroom Management & Cleanliness

Maintain a clean, organized, and welcoming classroom environment.

Ensure children’s belongings are stored neatly in cubbies or backpacks.

Place dirty clothes in plastic bags and notify parents via Brightwheel.

Label children’s items when permitted by parents.

Complete and submit the Monthly Cleaning Checklist by the last day of the month.

Assign a staff member to help track completion if needed.

Use nap time for deep cleaning and organizing.

Ensure outdoor play areas are cleaned and organized daily.

Teacher Communication and Professionalism

Maintain professional and respectful communication with all staff.

Arrive on time, take breaks as scheduled, and respect coworkers’ time.

Approach daily challenges with flexibility and problem-solving.

Support colleagues, share tasks, and maintain a positive team environment.

Keep discussions appropriate and focused on the classroom and children’s needs.

Parent Communication

Assign a teacher to handle updates (photos, meal posts, etc.)

Prioritize direct child interaction; updates can wait until safe, calm moments.

Report all parent concerns or incidents to management before discussing with families.

Communicate with empathy, patience, and professionalism.

Greet all families warmly by name and verify identification for unfamiliar pick-ups.

Keep Brightwheel updated with nap and meal logs daily.

Engage parents at drop-off and pick-up by sharing brief updates about their child’s day.

Child Interaction & Guidance

Use positive reinforcement, positive redirection, and positive communication to guide behavior.

Build strong, trusting relationships with each child through play, attention, and consistency.

Provide emotional support and model kindness, patience, and empathy.

Active Supervision

Always maintain active supervision and awareness of the number of children in care.

Communicate head counts among staff and with kitchen personnel for meal counts.

Use zoning strategies to ensure all areas are covered.

Keep teacher conversation minimal during supervision times.

Health, Hygiene & Safety

Ensure children wash hands regularly (after outdoor play, toileting, or wiping noses).

No outdoor shoes in the classroom

Support children in learning hygiene and self-care habits.

Wipe faces, hands, and ensure children look clean and presentable at pick-up.

Diapers should be changed every two hours or as needed.

The Lead Teacher should oversee potty training routines and maintain consistency.

Children’s Artwork & Classroom Display

Display and celebrate children’s artwork and creative projects in the classroom.

Position the majority of children's work at eye level.

Send home at least one project or creation weekly to share with families.

Leadership Qualities

A successful Lead Teacher embodies the following qualities:

Positive influence and integrity

Flexibility and adaptability

Problem-solving and initiative

Empathy and dependability

Professional endurance and knowledge of child development

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $23.00 - $25.00 per hour

Benefits:

401(k)

Dental insurance

Health insurance

Paid time off

Professional development assistance

Vision insurance

Work Location: In person